False about Reactive arthritis
**Question:** False about Reactive arthritis
A. Reactive arthritis is primarily caused by infections
B. Reactive arthritis does not involve the eyes
C. Reactive arthritis is a rare condition
D. Reactive arthritis only affects joints
**Core Concept:** Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body. It is not solely caused by infections, although infections are a common trigger. The condition involves not only joints but also other systems, such as the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Reactive arthritis (also known as Reiter's syndrome) is a post-infectious autoimmune response that occurs when an infection triggers an immune response causing inflammation in various parts of the body, including joints, eyes, urethra, and rectum. Although infections are a common trigger, reactive arthritis is not exclusively caused by infections.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. False: Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune response triggered by infections, so it is not solely caused by infections.
B. False: Reactive arthritis can affect the eyes, making this statement incorrect.
C. False: Reactive arthritis is not rare; it is a well-known autoimmune response following infections.
D. False: Reactive arthritis affects various systems, not only joints.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:** Reactive arthritis is a post-infectious autoimmune disorder affecting multiple body systems. It is essential for students of medicine and other healthcare professionals to recognize the clinical features, including arthritis, urethritis, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), and enteritis (inflammation of the intestines) to help diagnose and manage this condition appropriately.